Hillsborough, N.J. - Living with RSDS, Inc. and the Somerset County Library are promoting US Pain’s “INvisible Project,” this September in honor of National Pain Awareness Month. The exhibit will be on display September 3rd-30th with an opening reception and guest speakers on September 10th from 5:30 pm - 8:30pm. The INvisible Project is a photojournalistic display of every day experiences of real people living with chronic pain. It reflects the widespread effects of pain, with a variety of conditions being represented, including cancer, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, juvenile arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. The goal of this project is to make visible the strength that is usually hidden inside of these people. The INvisible Project shows the fragile and pain filled bodies vs. the daily spirit and strength essential to living each day.

RSDS is an incurable and painful condition called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSDS/CRPS). Represented in the “INvisible Project” will be Stephen G. Brilliant, M.S., CPA, a local businessman, Somerset County Resident, and treasurer of Living with RSDS. Stephen has been living with RSDS/CRPS for fifteen years.  As Stephen keeps living his life he says, “I have pain regardless of what I do so I ask myself each day if I was productive, and if the activities I did were worth it. The answer is usually yes. I will not let the pain sideline me from living every moment. I still believe that I will beat this thing.”

RSDS/CRPS can be caused by a simple injury such as a sprain, surgery, or other trauma and arises when the sympathetic nervous system misfires. RSDS/CRPS does not discriminate between age, sex or race. The most common symptom of RSDS/CRPS is excoriating, unrelenting pain, making it possibly the most painful of all chronic conditions.

There are many goals of the local non-profit, Living with RSDS  support group, which is bringing the Invisible Project to New Jersey. The group provides free monthly support meetings, the first Tuesday of each month at Somerset Medical Center, for those affected with RSDS/CRPS including family and friends. They provide educational forums, serve as a valuable resource for patients with questions on doctors, treatments, medicine, refer patients to assistance programs and also educate the community about the causes and effects of chronic pain.